Gender Equality

SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON EFFECTS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Speak Wednesday, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a pervasive human rights violation that affects millions of individuals worldwide, with significant and far-reaching consequences. Among its numerous adverse effects, GBV has a profound impact on reproductive health, causing physical, psychological, and social harm to survivors. Understanding these effects is crucial for addressing the broader issue of GBV and safeguarding the reproductive health and rights of those affected. Here, we explore the various ways in which GBV can affect reproductive health:

1. Physical Injuries and Complications: Physical violence, such as sexual assault or intimate partner violence, can lead to immediate injuries, including genital trauma. These injuries can result in long-term complications, such as chronic pain, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and even infertility in some cases. Survivors may also be at a higher risk of unwanted pregnancies due to a lack of control over contraceptive choices.

2. Sexual and Reproductive Coercion: GBV often involves reproductive control, where survivors are coerced into unwanted pregnancies or abortions. Perpetrators may sabotage contraception methods or force survivors into sexual acts without their consent. This coercion can lead to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and emotional distress.

3. Psychological Trauma: Survivors of GBV commonly experience psychological trauma, which can have a profound impact on their reproductive health. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can disrupt normal reproductive functioning, affecting menstrual cycles and sexual health.

4. Substance Abuse: Some survivors turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism to deal with the psychological and emotional trauma caused by GBV. Substance abuse can result in risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, which increases the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancies.

5. Delayed or Avoided Healthcare: Stigma, shame, and fear often prevent survivors from seeking timely medical care and support. Delayed or avoided healthcare can result in untreated injuries, untreated STIs, and complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

6. Reproductive Health Inequities: GBV disproportionately affects marginalized and vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing health inequities. Survivors who face additional layers of discrimination based on factors like race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation may encounter further challenges in accessing appropriate reproductive healthcare.

7. Impact on Mother-Child Relationships: If GBV occurs during pregnancy, it can have detrimental effects on both the mother and the developing foetus. Violence during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm birth. Furthermore, the psychological stress experienced by pregnant survivors can affect the bond between mother and child.

8. Barriers to Family Planning: Survivors of GBV may encounter obstacles to accessing family planning services. They may lack autonomy in making decisions about contraception or face difficulties in negotiating safe sex practices with their partners, resulting in increased risks of unintended pregnancies.

Addressing the effects of GBV on reproductive health requires a comprehensive approach. Efforts should include:

– Awareness and Education: Promoting awareness about GBV and its consequences on reproductive health to encourage survivors to seek help and support.

– Healthcare Services: Ensuring that healthcare providers are trained to recognize and respond to GBV, offering sensitive and confidential care to survivors.

– Counseling and Mental Health Support: Providing survivors with access to mental health services to address trauma and psychological distress.

– Prevention and Advocacy: Implementing policies and programs aimed at preventing GBV and advocating for gender equality.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #GenderEquality #GenderDiscrimination #Women’sFinance

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON GENDER INEQUALITY: THE TOLL ON WOMEN AND SOCIETY

Gender, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Speak Wednesday, Women, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

Gender inequality is a pervasive issue that has plagued societies for centuries. While considerable progress has been made in recent years to address this problem, it continues to exert a profound toll on women and society at large. This article explores the multifaceted impacts of gender inequality, shedding light on the challenges faced by women and the broader repercussions for society.

1. Economic Disparities
One of the most evident consequences of gender inequality is economic disparity. Women often earn less than their male counterparts for equivalent work, leading to a persistent gender pay gap. This disparity not only affects women’s financial independence but also contributes to a cycle of poverty that can be passed down through generations.

2. Limited Educational Opportunities
In many parts of the world, gender inequality restricts women’s access to education. This lack of educational opportunities hampers their personal growth and economic prospects. Moreover, when women are denied access to education, society as a whole miss out on their potential contributions to various fields.
3. Unequal Representation in Leadership
Gender inequality is glaringly evident in the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. Whether in politics, business, or academia, women continue to face barriers that hinder their ascent to influential roles. This imbalance deprives society of diverse perspectives and innovative solutions that women leaders can bring.

4. Health and Healthcare Disparities
Women often face disparities in healthcare access and quality, with some countries lacking comprehensive reproductive health services and family planning options. This inequity can lead to adverse health outcomes for women and their families. Furthermore, gender-based violence and discrimination can have severe mental and physical health consequences for women.

5. Unpaid Domestic Labour
Women disproportionately shoulder the burden of unpaid domestic labour, including childcare and household chores. This leaves them with less time and energy to pursue personal and professional aspirations. Society misses out on their full potential when this unpaid labour goes unrecognized and unvalued.

6. Gender-Based Violence
Gender inequality is closely linked to gender-based violence, which includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The prevalence of such violence affects not only individual women but also disrupts social cohesion and contributes to a culture of fear and mistrust.

7. Hindrance to Social Progress
Gender inequality poses a significant hindrance to overall social progress. When half of the population is systematically marginalized and denied equal opportunities, society as a whole cannot reach its full potential. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a just and prosperous society.

8. The Path to Gender Equality
Efforts to address gender inequality must involve individuals, communities, governments, and institutions working together. Key steps include:

– Implementing and enforcing equal pay policies
– Promoting education and educational access for girls and women
– Encouraging women’s participation in leadership roles
– Providing comprehensive healthcare services, including reproductive health
– Recognizing and valuing unpaid domestic labour
– Combatting gender-based violence through legislation and awareness campaigns

Gender inequality takes a toll on both women and society. It hampers individual potential, perpetuates economic disparities, and fosters social injustice. Achieving gender equality is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for building a fair, prosperous, and progressive society. It is the responsibility of all individuals and institutions to work tirelessly towards a future where gender inequality is eradicated, and the full potential of all members of society can be realized.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #GenderEquality #GenderDiscrimination #WomensFinance

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON IMPACT OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE ON GIRLS’ EDUCATION

ChildNotBride, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Girl Education / cfhinitiative

Gender-based violence (GBV) is the most prevalent yet least obvious human rights violation in the world, according to UNICEF. It involves impairment to a person’s bodily, sexual, mental, or financial health brought on by socially accepted gender power disparities. Threats of violence, coercion, and deprivation of liberty—in public or private—are also included.

There are several types of gender-based violence: In every country, there are shockingly high instances of intimate relationship violence, as well as sexual assault, child marriage, female genital mutilation, trafficking for sexual exploitation, female infanticide, and “honour” crimes.

GBV is frequently identified as a serious impediment to girls’ regular school attendance. Fear of violence, harassment, or assault can keep girls at home, preventing them from participating in academic and extracurricular activities. This fear-driven absenteeism, as recorded by UNICEF, results in missed classes and can eventually lead to girls dropping out of school entirely. As a result, their educational path is plagued by gaps, limiting their long-term chances.

Beyond the physical consequences, the psychological stress caused by GBV has a long-term impact on girls’ academic achievement. According to UNESCO, the aftermath of violence can emerge as anxiety, despair, and low self-esteem, impairing children’s ability to concentrate, learn, and actively participate in school activities. This psychological cost detracts from their overall learning experience.

UN reports that the complicated link between GBV and harmful practices such as early marriage and pregnancy is also obvious. For females who have been subjected to violence, the pursuit of education may be overshadowed by societal standards that promote marriage and child-rearing. Early marriage frequently results in girls dropping out of school, creating a cycle of limited education and limited possibilities.

To address the issue of domestic violence and its impact on girls’ education, the government, civil society, international organizations, and individuals can confront gender-based violence head on and create a society in which girls are free from the cycle of violence and have access to high-quality education to succeed in life.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #GBV #Girl’srights #Girls’Education #genderequality #genderbias

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON EFFECT OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Girl Education, Speak Wednesday, Women Education, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

A lot of female workers are forced to work in intimidating, hostile or humiliating environment where they are often asked for sexual favors, exposed to inappropriate jokes, insinuations and physical contact that can amount to assault making a work environment uncomfortable for them. According to research, between 40 and 50 percent of women experience unwanted sexual advances, physical contact or other forms of sexual harassment at work.

In today’s edition of Speak Wednesday, we retell the story of one of our beneficiaries, Grace (not her real name). Grace, an orphan, who was discovered by one of our community volunteers in Sabon Lugbe community, was a victim of workplace violence. She worked as a live-in house help for a certain family in the community, but was occasionally sexually abused by her boss. Although she endured for a while out of desperation to keep her job (she was the bread winner of the home), she had to leave because it started affecting her mental health and productivity. Few months later, she got a job in a beer parlour where she was also preyed upon sexually by both the customers and the owner of the business.

When CFHI was made aware of her sad experience, she was immediately enrolled into skills acquisition training and given startup kits for her business through IHVN project. Currently, she is successfully running her tailoring business in the community.

Gender based violence in the workplace is a major hindrance to women’s economic empowerment, autonomy and independence, however, this can be tackled if there is a collective agreement by major stakeholders on policies to prevent and address GBV in the workplace.

Thank you for joining today’s Speak Wednesday on workplace violence. Join us every Wednesday for more episodes as we work together to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

#SpeakWednesday #GBVStory #EndGBVNow

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON BARRIES INHIBITING WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT IN DECISION-MAKING ROLES

Female Roles in Nation Building, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Girl Education / cfhinitiative

In recent decades, significant strides have been made toward gender equality in various spheres of life. However, despite these advancements, a substantial gender gap persists when it comes to women’s representation in decision-making roles across industries and sectors. The underrepresentation of women in positions of power and authority, particularly in decision-making capacities, remains a complex and concerning issue. Gender discrimination impedes women’s advancement in decision-making roles, economic empowerment, safety, and autonomy, which has an impact on the country’s GDP and economy. These stereotyping and unconscious biases are barriers to obtaining gender balance. They are also linked to larger sociological, political, economic, and governance issues. Furthermore, internal hurdles within women, along with insufficient leadership support, add to the imbalance. In Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives, men hold 96.5% of the 423 seats, while women only have 3.5%. In addition, during the recent Ministerial screening, out of 48 seats, less than 16% were occupied by women.
The primary factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women include:
A lack of effective government action;
Lower levels of female employment and education;
Sexism, sometimes but not always deriving from religion or traditional practices;
A corrupt and patronage-based political system;
Violence at elections, including against women candidates.
Additionally, within the professional sphere, despite notable growth in the number of women occupying middle management positions over the past two decades, the proportion of female Chief Executive Officers within major corporations remains remarkably low. This discrepancy can be attributed to a variety of factors, including:
Inadequate exposure to line management roles.
Limited access to promising career paths.
Gender-related variations in linguistic styles and socialization.
Prevalent gender-based stereotypes.
The persistence of established networks favouring male advancement.
Superficial inclusion efforts, often referred to as tokenism.
However, this can be addressed with conscious efforts by the government, civil society, international organizations, and individuals. By deliberately and cooperatively addressing gender discrimination barriers in Nigeria through policy reforms, transformation of discriminatory cultural norms, provision of funds, mentoring, and leadership training, women can attain greater participation and prosper in leadership roles.
According to the UNDP, gender equality (Goal 5) will help to enable women’s full and effective involvement and equal chances for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #GenderEquality #GenderDiscrimination #WomenInLeadership

REFERENCES
Kelly, L. (2019). Barriers and enablers for women’s participation in governance in Nigeria. K4D Helpdesk Report. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies.
Oakley, J.G. Gender-based Barriers to Senior Management Positions: Understanding the Scarcity of Female CEOs. Journal of Business Ethics 27, 321–334 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006226129868
Kayode Oyero. (2023). #IWD2023: Women Get 15 Out Of 423 Senate, Reps Seats.
https://www.channelstv.com/2023/03/08/iwd-women-get-15-out-of-423-senate-reps-seats/

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE; MEDIA’S ROLE IN RESHAPING PERCEPTION

Gender, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality / cfhinitiative

Gender-Based Violence: Media’s Role in Reshaping Perceptions

Media plays a crucial role in reshaping gender-based violence (GBV) perceptions by influencing public awareness, attitudes, and understanding of GBV. Through various platforms like news, movies, TV shows, and social media, media can raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, empower survivors, educate the public, and influence policy and advocacy. However, the media’s responsibility in reporting GBV comes with pitfalls that can perpetuate harmful norms and hinder efforts to address the issue effectively. Examples:

Normalization of Violence:

– Lack of coverage can create an illusion that GBV is not a prevalent issue, normalizing abusive behaviour and attitudes.

Victim Blaming:

– When incidents go unreported or underreported, it can reinforce victim-blaming attitudes, suggesting that survivors are responsible for the violence they experience.

Silencing Survivors:

– Media silence may discourage survivors from coming forward, fearing stigmatization and disbelief, further isolating them and hindering their path to justice and healing.

Lack of Public Awareness:

– Insufficient reporting prevents the public from understanding the scale and severity of GBV, leading to complacency and inaction.

Impeding Policy and Legal Reforms:

– Without media attention, the urgency for policy changes and legal reforms to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable may be undermined.

Missed Opportunities for Prevention:

– Media can be a powerful tool in promoting prevention efforts, but these opportunities are lost without adequate reporting.

Misrepresentation and Stereotyping:

– When incidents are reported, media portrayals may perpetuate harmful stereotypes, reinforcing gender norms and biases.

Undermining Advocacy Efforts:

– Media serves as a conduit for advocacy efforts, but insufficient coverage can hamper campaigns and awareness-raising initiatives.

Fostering a Culture of Silence:

– A lack of media attention can create a culture of silence around GBV, hindering collective efforts to challenge and combat it.

Impact on Funding and Resources:

– Insufficient reporting may lead to reduced funding and resources for organizations working to address GBV, impeding their ability to support survivors and prevent future violence.

The Media’s role in reshaping perceptions of gender-based violence is undeniable and carries a significant responsibility in how it reports on the issue.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #GenderEquality #GenderDiscrimination #Women’sFinance

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON EFFECTS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION ON WOMEN’S FINANCIAL STABILITY

Gender, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Speak Wednesday, Women, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. However, women experience gender discrimination in both the public and private spheres, which profoundly impacts their life, including their financial stability and status.
The World Bank reports that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of out-of-school girls worldwide. Without adequate education, women’s chances of securing formal employment and escaping low-wage, informal sectors are severely restricted, leaving them vulnerable to financial instability.
Additionally, the gender wage gap still exists despite the Nigerian Labour Act prohibiting wage discrimination based on gender. The World Bank estimates that women in Nigeria make an average of 30% less money than males. The lack of equal pay makes it more difficult for women to save money, invest it, and ensure their financial future.
In Nigeria, there is a sizable gender difference in account ownership, with fewer women than males having access to formal financial services, according to the World Bank’s Global Findex Database.
The bias against women hinders their potential to establish or expand businesses, engage in politics, save finances, and participate in entrepreneurial activities. This, in turn, sustains the vicious cycle of poverty. Additionally, women’s economic empowerment, safety, and autonomy are hindered by gender discrimination, which impacts the country’s GDP and economy.
The World Bank states that achieving gender equality in financial inclusion can help accomplish eight of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This can be achieved through implementing genuine policies and practices promoting gender equality.
By working together to tear down the barriers of gender discrimination in Nigeria, the government, civil society, international organizations, and individuals can change this narrative.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #GenderEquality #GenderDiscrimination #Women’sFinance

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS

Female Roles in Nation Building, Gender Equality, Nation Building, Politics, Speak Wednesday, Women, Women in Leadership, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

The significance of women’s involvement in politics cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Women have been inadequately represented in politics throughout history due to various cultural factors. On the other hand, recent advances by women in politics have proven the importance of equal representation for women in this sphere. Despite advances in some areas, women in Nigeria face several hurdles when entering politics. Traditional gender roles, patriarchal conventions, and negative stereotypes frequently impede women from seeking active engagement in politics.

In Nigeria, the National Gender Policy (NGP) was created in 2006 to address the gender imbalance. The NGP advocates for a 35% Affirmative Action (AA) to ensure women are adequately represented in all governance processes.

Significantly, women in leadership positions, especially in developing nations, have the obligation and the potential to affect their society through leadership, particularly when empowered. Women who are empowered can aspirate for, achieve, and excel in leadership roles while also playing their roles at home.

Women are empowered when educated, exposed, and given economic freedom. Women in leadership roles have had an excellent social impact throughout history and in every nation. Such women have a long history in human history. Notably, influential figures such as Okonjo Iweala and Dora Akunyili have demonstrated that women can significantly contribute to a country’s political economy.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #WomenInPolitics #Women’sRights #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality

REFERENCES

Emeka, E. O & Monica, E. A. 2015. Women and Leadership in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.

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GENDER DIGITAL DIVIDE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Gender, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Girl Education, Speak Wednesday, Women Education, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

Digital divide according to Investopedia, encompasses the technical and financial ability to utilize available technology, along with access (or a lack of access) to the internet.

As observed in education and other areas of life, women and girls face a wide divide in the digital space which is significantly taking over the universe and economic opportunities with the world adjusting to the change. This indicates that gender disparity has also found its undeserving place in the digital world.

This wide gender gap in digital access, literacy and skills is caused by the social norms, gender roles and expectations of women in the household. This includes the negative stereotyping of women and girls in their career paths and the assumptions that boys and men do better in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields than girls.

The digital divide against women and girls will worsen gender discrimination and promote unequal access to employment opportunities for girls, which can lead to financial lack and poverty.

Government and stakeholders can work towards the inclusion of girls and women in the digital ecosystem and close the gap by ensuring that girls are educated and have access to ICT, improve gender-responsive systems and programs, and the like.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #Genderbias #GenderDigitalDivide

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ROLE OF GENDER EQUALITY IN ACHIEVING SDGs IN 2030

Gender, Gender Equality, SDG, Speak Wednesday / cfhinitiative

Gender equality, according to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is defined as women and men, girls and boys having equal conditions, treatment, and opportunities for realizing their full potential, human rights, and dignity, and for contributing to (and benefitting from) economic, social, cultural and political development. It is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations, and needs equally, regardless of gender.

There is a growing global recognition that gender is a key determinant of health inequalities and health sector performance. In framing the Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Global agenda for All, it was widely recognized that integrating gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment perspectives into policies and programs is important to the achievement of global commitments and targets. More precisely, global best practices in health care delivery demonstrate that gender mainstreaming and human rights-based approaches lead to better health outcomes for men and women, boys and girls.

Women and girls make up half of the population of the world yet are marginalized in every area of life. Extreme poverty is higher among women because of the societal and cultural belief that women are homemakers while men are said to be breadwinners. The popular saying “Educate a girl educate a nation” is a call for action that should be championed by all. Poverty would end in all its forms in society and will improve if women have access to decent work and pay.

Also, maternal and child mortality will reduce if women have full rights and protection to reproductive rights, especially the eradication of female genital mutilation done on girls and women. This will indirectly bring a significant change in the promotion of life and well-being of all which is one of the global goals.

Every gender prejudice has an undermining effect on all other global goals because women make up half of the population of the world, and women’s right is a human right.

Once given the right tools, and privilege, women will achieve more success across all disciplines and live a self-empowered and independent life that will benefit the overall betterment of society.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #GenderEquality #SDG5 #GenderBias #EqualityEqualsProgress

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